Alonso eyes glory as Ferrari unveil radical new design

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Updated 1842 GMT (0242 HKT) February 3, 2012

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Photos:Ferrari unveil F2012

The F2012 – Ferrari unveiled the F2012 Friday, their car for the forthcoming Formula One season. The Italian team had planned to reveal the car Thursday, but heavy snowfall around the team's factory forced a postponement.

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Photos:Ferrari unveil F2012

Nose job – The most striking aspect of the car's design is the new steeped-nose feature. The change has been made to conform to new regulations regarding the height of the front chassis.

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Photos:Ferrari unveil F2012

Driven to succeed – The engine Spanish driver Fernando Alonso hopes will power him to a third world championship triumph. Alonso won just one race in 2011 and finished 135 points behind Red Bull's title winner Sebastian Vettel.

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Photos:Ferrari unveil F2012

On the right track – Brazil's Felipe Massa has praised the aggression of the new car and described it as part of his dreams. Massa will hope the newly-designed steering wheel can guide him to greater success in 2012, after finishing last season sixth.

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Photos:Ferrari unveil F2012

Rising Force – Silverstone-based Force India also unveiled their new VJM05 car at the historic British circuit on Friday.

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Photos:Ferrari unveil F2012

Third time lucky – The Indian-owned team will hope to build on last season's respectable sixth-place finish. Force India will be counting on the skills of drivers Paul di Resta of Britain and Germany's Nico Hulkenberg.

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Story highlights

Ferrari unveil their radically-designed car for the 2012 Formula One season

Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso wants to challenge for a third drivers' title

Two-time Formula One champion Fernando Alonso set his sights on a title charge in 2012 Friday as Ferrari unveiled the radical design of their car for the new season.

The F2012, Ferrari's 58th F1 car, features a dramatic steeped-nose look in order to conform to new regulations regarding the height of the front chassis.

Spain's Alonso finished 2011 fourth in the drivers' standings, 135 points behind Red Bull's double world champion Sebastian Vettel, after claiming just one race win at the British Grand Prix.

"It looks very different from what we have seen in the last two years," Alonso said at the launch, which was originally scheduled to take place Thursday but was pushed back 24 hours due to heavy snowfall.

"We have to fight for the title and try and get as many points as possible. We really want to be right at the top of the ranking.

"We have to be as consistent and resolute as possible and I am sure, really, really sure we will be able to get great targets and great responsibility for driving for Ferrari."

Alonso's teammate Felipe Massa also endured a frustrating season, but the Brazilian is confident the new car can fire Ferrari to success.

"Let me tell you that it looks really, really aggressive," said Massa. "This was part of my dreams. I know there was quite a lot of brainstorming when it comes to the new car.

"We always wanted to develop new models so I am impressed with the new car. We start in a few days and I am sure the championship will be stunning and very competitive."

Ferrari were not the only team showing off their new car Friday. Silverstone-based Force India had drivers Paul di Resta and Nico Hulkenberg on hand to reveal the VJM05.

Britain's Di Resta, the cousin of IndyCar legend Dario Franchitti, enjoyed a successful rookie season with the Indian-owned team, collecting 27 points to finish 13th in the drivers' championship.

"Seeing the new car built and complete for the first time is always an exciting moment," the 25-year-old said. "I've had a good winter and I've recharged my batteries, but now I'm fully focused on 2012 and looking forward to the start of testing.

"There's a really positive feeling in the team, good stability and hopefully we can pick up where we left off at the end of last year."

German driver Nico Hulkenberg has taken the place of compatriot Adrian Sutil, who was handed an 18-month suspended jail sentence earlier this week for injuring Eric Lux -- the chief executive of Lotus' parent company Genii Capital.

"Preparations for the new season have been full-on with simulator sessions and lots of fitness training," said Hulkenberg, who last raced for Williams in 2010.

"I feel ready to get back to racing and I'm excited to find out what the new car feels like next week."

Elsewhere, veteran Indian driver Narain Karthikeyan has returned to Spanish team HRT. The 35-year-old's recruitment means all 24 places on the grid for the 2012 season have now been filled.

Karthikeyan took part in the first eight races of 2011 with the Madrid-based team before making way for young Red Bull prospect Daniel Ricciardo. He last raced at the inaugural Indian Grand Prix in October.

"It has taken a lot of hard work to make this happen but I am absolutely elated to feature on the 2012 grid with HRT F1 team," the former NASCAR racer said.

"I was pleased with our strong performance at the Indian Grand Prix, in front of my passionate home fans and I look forward to building on this result in 2012.

"I have been training hard since the end of 2011, ensuring I was ready for the rigors of F1 if an opportunity arose."

The 2012 Formula One season will begin with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 18.